The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-06-07
y1tn startled cry of establishment.

ment. who could ever have sus-
, pected this? Despicable man, you are
. at last discovered, and now an end to
your rascally deeds!"
The bandit, with no show of confusion.
however; merely smiled. and pointing
his gun threateningly at the Marquis.
the latter put spurs to his horse and
sped onward to the castle.
"And now this fine support must
really come to an end, l suppose, said
the robber, quietly: "How unfortu-
mattel Ii has afforded me infinite
amusementm And turning into a by
path, he also directed his steps toward.
the castle.
Breathless, the Marquis arrived at
the house, but finding the Count alb
sent. proceeded as quietly as he could
to the saloon. where number of his
acquaintance were assembled around
the hostess. who was gracefully doing
the honors of the house.
Although carefully depressing all al
fusion to his recent adventure, he could
not escape remark upon his distracted
silence, and some jOked him upon his
humor; but he could only cast sad,
compassionate chances toward the
Countess, as she chatted gayly, utterly
unconscious of the cloud above her.
Ringing at last for a servant, she in
quired if her brother, the Count, had
yet returned from hunting, and receiv-
ing in reply the information that he had
but just arrived, and had gone to his
room, leaving his excuses on the plea
of severe headache. An hour later
Count de Saillant returned, and had
scarcely finished his cordial greetings
when the Marquis requested an inter-
view, and the two withdrew to an adj
joining room.
"Now, what is it, my dear Charras?"
inquired the Count, serenely; lit APP
pears to me you look somewhat down
hearted"
land truly, my dear friend, have
sufficient cause to look So" replied the
Marquis. sadly; '.for it grieves me in
expressibly to be the bearer of bad
news"
''Then, for heavens sake. Charras.
don't keep me in suspense: ont with il
at once!" cried the Count.
Not two hours since, while riding
through the forest, was attacked and
robbed; l was forced To surrender my
purse to preserve my life"
upon my word, am truly sorry to
hear that you, too, have been subjected
to this villainy on my grounds" ex-
claimed Saillant; "but others have /
been likewise unfortunate, and hope !
your loss has not been great"
"And do you suppose that i am
grieving for few pieces of gold?" in
terrupted his friend. My dear Count. !
the worst is, L have discovered the !
bandit"
what! You have recognized him?
That is, indeed, good luck. Now. then.
the bold rascal will be secured, and at ,
once brought to the gallows. / will !
immediately"
mo, no, my dear friend. do nothing
yet. " interrupted the other; ''this affair
must remain a secret, in order to avoid.
Impossible, the disgrace of highly es-
teemed family. You have not yet !
learned the name of the bandit.
'Well, who is it?' demanded his
friend.
ut is,
why do you hesitate' 1t is mott
trust
The Marquis came nearer. ..Alasr' ,
said he, ''your worst fears are correct: !
the mysterious highwayman is none
other than your own brother-in-law,
the Count de Mirabeau."
Count de Saillant became deadly
pale.
"Ha! the scoundrelr' he murmured;
'.has it come to this? You are sure,
Marquis?"
''Only too, sure, my poor friend"
You recognized him beyond all
doubt?'
Beyond all doubt; as he stopped to
take the purse the mask fell from his
face, and in the moonlight could not
fail to recognize the young Count"
did he perceive that you knew
himP''
Undoubtedly; spoke few threat
ening words to him that must have con-
WINGED him of il.
'.What did he do then?"
"He eoolly laughed, and aimed at
me again with his gun, but | escaped.
He arrived at the castle half hour
sitter | did. and. | hear has GONE st
once TO his room"
You have spoken TO no one else of
this?" asked Saillant
mo one"
The villainr' cried the Count, be-
side himself with rage. ''But he shall
not escape punishment: he shall be at
once apprehended and imprisoned for
life, that no further disgrace may be
brought upon his family